Electric sole



(No Model.)

1:'. B. WALLIS.

ELECTRIC SOLE.

No. 360.127. Patented'Mar. 29, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS B. VALLIS, OF EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SOLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 360,127, dated March29, 1887.

Application filed August 30, 1856. Serial No. $112,185.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS B. WALLIS, of Everett, county of Middlesex,and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement'in ElectricSoles, of which the following description, in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawingsrepresenting like parts.

rIhis invention has for its object to provide an electric sole,77 socalled, which may be either permanently connected with or detachablyplaced within a boot or shoe, or other article of foot-wear, orWearing-apparel.

The invention consists of an electro-therapeutical appliance constructedsubstantially as hereinafter particularly setforth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l shows in top view a sole embodying thisinvention, the perforated top piece being removed. Fig. 2 is a. plan ofthe perforated top piece detached, and Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssectionof a sole constructed in accordance with my invention.

A bottom layer or sole, A, upon which the permanent parts are placed, ismade preferably of water-proof material, and cut tothe desired shape.Upon this layer or sole is arranged in alternation a series of copperand zinc rings, (t b, which rings Overlap, and a a piece of absorbentmaterial, c-such as spongeis placed within the central opening of eachof the rings, to absorb moisture from the person, to-assist in producinggalvanic action, or a current between the person andthe metal plates.Additional voltaic 'couples may be had by means of copper and zincstrips d d', connected to the rings a b, of opposite polarity, andarranged substantially as shown.

A perforated thin layer or sole, B, of sheepskin or other suitablematerial, is then placed upon the metal rings and strips and the sole A,thereby concealing them and presenting a smooth surface for the person,the perforations 2 and 3 made in such sole B permitting the 4 moisturefrom the person to pass freely through to and be absorbed by theabsorbent material c. It is obvious that, instead of making the (Nomodel.)

parts a b as rings, they may be of any other desired shape; and also,instead of placing the absorbent material at the central openings in therings it may be placed at any other convenient point.

If desired, felt or any other bibulous material may be employed as theabsorbing material.

rllhe sole, constructed as described, may be permanently attached to aboot or shoe as an inner sole, or it may be employed as a socksole, tobe introduced when desired.

A small quantity of dilute acid may be supplied -to the absorbentmaterial, which, mingling with the moisture from the person, increasesthe current.

Vhat I claim isl. An electrotherapeutic appliance composed of a layer orsole, A, a series of overlapping copper and zinc disks placed thereon,absorbent material, as described,placed in contact with the batteriesand suitably saturated with acid, and a perforated top layer or sole, B,substantially as set forth.

2. An electric sole composed of a layer or sole, A, a series ofoverlapping copper and zinc disks placed thereon, absorbent material, asdescribed, placed in contact with the disks, the metal strips d d',coupled with the disks, aud the perforated top sole, B, allsubstantially as set forth.

3. Au elcctrotherapeutic appliance cou sisting of a layer or sole, A, aseries of voltaic couples consisting of overlapping metal rings andmetal strips connected thereto, absorbent material placed in connectiontherewith, and a perforated top layer or sole, B, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have si gued my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS B. VALLIS.

